Painting the Arno River, Florence, Italy Painting

Anyone who has visited Florence, Italy, remembers it as one of the most romantic times of his or her life. For those in a gift giving mood -- be it for Valentine's Day, anniversary, birthday, Christmas, or simply as a heartfelt memento -- my landscape plein air painting series of the seminal locations and landmarks of the beautiful and stylish "cradle of the Renaissance" city might just be the lovely answer. "Painting the Arno River" is one of four paintings of my Florentine landscape series. These works were created during a month-long landscape painting workshop at the Florence Academy of Art. My series was executed in the school's more traditional style. For this painting, artists like my friend Maureen (pictured) and I were drawn to this Arno riverbank site for its composition potential. I went with the flow of lines of energy to unite this piece. Paths stretch forward. Fields reach upward. Trees curve inward into a figure eight-shaped frame that zooms in on the bridges and trees in the horizon. And, of course, "a river runs through it," to quote author Norman Maclean. I chose a more impressionistic and expressionistic style, similar to Van Gogh's approach, to build up the sensuousness and texture of my visual experience. The series also includes the Florence skyline ("Renaissance Romance") and another Arno riverbank location ("Falling Water"). One painting, "Cypress Lane," in the famed Boboli Garden, has already sold, but prints remain available. All are offered through . "Painting the Arno River'' is currently framed in a gold filigreed style. Hanging gear included.